Universal bracket attachment system and method of use

ABSTRACT

A fishing caddy system which generally includes a rod holder assembly having at least one rod holder which may be rotatable to different angles to suit the user. There are hooks in the rod holder assembly for receiving the fishing line and thereby preventing the wind from blowing the line around, resulting in faster detection of catches. The rod holder assembly can be mounted to a universal mounting receiver which can be placed on any stationary body. Cup holders and other accessories may also be mounted in proximity to the rod holder assembly using other universal mounting receivers. An accelerometer may also be included which detects vibrations caused by the fishing line against the hook, alerting the user via LEDs or a wireless alert sent to the user&#39;s wireless computing device, such as a smart phone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/582,259 filed Apr. 28, 2017, which claimspriority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/421,818, filed onNov. 14, 2016, and which was also a continuation-in-part of and claimspriority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/808,931, filed Jul. 24,2015, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/028,626, filed on Jul. 24, 2014, and also claims priority in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/065,549, filed Oct. 17, 2014, allof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fishing caddy, andparticularly to a unique caddy with adjustable features foraccommodating various species and fishing environments.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently a person going fishing has to pack a number of items,including a folding chair, hooks, rods, rod holders, and flashlights orhead lamps. The fisherman would have to carry all of this gear to andfrom the fishing site, as well as set the gear up on the site once theyhave reached the site.

Existing rod holders require the holders to be driven into the solidearth, resulting in rods being placed too far from the water andresulting in missed bites. These holders are also non-adjustable andcannot be placed in locations without soil present. Existing rod holdersare further subject to missed catches on windy days when it is difficultto tell when a catch is on the line.

Head lamps and flashlights are added costs which can scare fish awaywhen shone directly into the water. Light is necessary when fishingearly in the morning, but can be detrimental if the fish are scared awayfrom the source.

Heretofore there has not been available a fishing caddy system andmethod with the advantages and features of the disclosed subject matter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A fully-integrated fishing caddy system which generally includes a fivegallon bucket as a base and a padded lid enclosing the interior of thebucket, the padded lid further serving as a seat for the user. Thebucket includes at least one rod holder which can be rotated todifferent angles to suit the user. There are hooks in the bucket forreceiving the fishing line and thereby preventing the wind from blowingthe line around, resulting in faster detection of catches. Otherfeatures include the ability to place caught fish into the bucket via achute, cup holders, and drainage spouts.

An alternative embodiment includes a rod holder unit which can beattached to an existing five gallon bucket or the like. The rod holderunit could be screwed into the bucket, using a backing plate placedwithin the bucket to receive the screws, or the rod holder could bepunched through the wall of the bucket with spikes or screws, allowing aquick attachment to the bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the invention illustrating various objects andfeatures thereof, wherein like references are generally numbered alikein the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention

FIG. 2 is an assembled, isometric view of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional isometric view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in analternative orientation where a LED platform is tilted.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view thereof with a diagrammatic view ofelements of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view thereof, showing the mounting of a rodholder assembly onto a mounting receiver.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view thereof, showing the rod holderassembly mounted to the mounting receiver.

FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional isometric view of yet another alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT I. Introduction andEnvironment

As required, detailed aspects of the disclosed subject matter aredisclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosedaspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied invarious forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention invirtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up,down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientatedin the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly”refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometriccenter of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof.Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction oftravel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the wordsspecifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similarmeaning.

The present invention is a fishing caddy system with various featuresand functions for accommodating different fishing conditions, targetspecies and environments. For example and without limitation, thefollowing description provides information concerning embodiments of theinvention, which can be adapted and changed as necessary.

Additional examples include computing devices such as a mobile smartdevice including a display device for viewing a typical web browser oruser interface will be commonly referred to throughout the followingdescription. The type of device, computer, display, or user interfacemay vary when practicing an embodiment of the present invention. Acomputing device could be represented by a desktop personal computer, alaptop computer, “smart” mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, or other handheldcomputing devices.

II. Preferred Embodiment Fishing Caddy System 2

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fishing caddy system 2 is a device thatallows a fisherman to mount and monitoring his or her poles. The system2 may include many attachments, such as a rod holder attachment 4 or anaccessory attachment 6. These attachments 4, 6 can be affixed to anystationary body 8, such as a standard five gallon bucket as shown, or atree, crate, cooler, or any other body.

As shown, the rod holder attachment 4 includes a pair of rod holdersleeves 10 angled outward away from the body 8 in which the user canplace their rods.

In the middle of the device is a light emitting diode (LED) receiver 16for an LED light 14 that allows the fisherman to see his or her lines atnight and also fishing tackle in low light conditions. Additionallighting, such as a lantern, may also be attached to the body 8 oreither of the attachments 4, 6.

A hook 12 is associated with each rod holder 10. These hooks receive thefishing line of a fishing rod connected to a fishing hook, therebypreventing wind from blowing the line around, resulting in missedcatches. These hooks are inserted into hook receivers 18 within the rodholder assembly attachment 4.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the rod holder attachment 4 includes ascrew-type connector 20 which can be screwed into the body 8 via anopening 22, such as a hole in a tree or a hole in a bucket. If the backend of the screw-type connector 20 is accessible, a locking nut 24 canbe screwed onto the screw-type connector 20 to secure the attachment 4to the body 8. The cup holder attachment 6 as shown uses an alternativeattachment which is a slide receiver attachment 26 which is connected tothe body 8 using mounting screws 30 or other connecting elements (e.g.,nails, bolts, etc.). The slide receiver attachment 26 includes a pair ofangled slides 28 which receive a corresponding receiver within amounting plate 32 of the cup holder attachment 6 which mounts the cupholder 34. It should be pointed out that any accessory or attachment maybe attached using this slide receiver attachment 26 which can functionas a universal attachment. As discussed below, even a rod holderassembly 104 can be affixed to the body 8 using such a universalmounting device. FIG. 2 shows the attachments 4, 6 affixed to the body8.

The rod holders 10 may also be individually adjustable for positioningthe fishing rods.

III. Alternative Embodiment Fishing Caddy System 102

FIGS. 3-7 show an alternative fishing caddy system 102 which includesrod holder attachment 104 having a mounting interface 130 forinterfacing with a universal mounting slide 126 which is functionallysimilar or identical to the slide receiver attachment 26 of the previousembodiment. A pair of rod holders 110 are mounted, facing out away fromthe body to which the universal mounting slide 126 is fastened.Alternatively, a single rod holder 110 could be used. The rod holdersare preferably made of a transparent or at least translucent materialcapable of allowing light to pass through or illuminate the holder,thereby acting as light pipes.

As in the previous embodiment, the rod holders 110 correspond with hooks112 for preventing the fishing line from blowing in the wind andprovides fast alert to the user when fish have been caught.

An adjustable platform 116 mounted to the underside of the rod holderattachment 104 includes a pair of upward facing LEDs 114 and a pair offorward facing LEDs 118. The upward facing LEDs 114 are designed toshine through the rod holders 110, and are activated when anaccelerometer 148 detects that movement has occurred due to the hooks112 being tugged on by the line, indicating a catch. The forward facingLEDs 118 can be used to light up the water or surface around the fishingcaddy system 102 and can act as a casting guide. Alternatively, theupward facing LEDs 114 could be within the rod holders 110 themselves,which would light up like a lantern if made of a translucent material.Similarly, the forward facing LEDs 118 could be lasers for providingguidelines for where to cast the fishing line.

The accelerometer 148 is part of an intelligence module 140, which alsoincludes a rechargeable battery 142, a processor 144, and a wirelesslink 146, such as a Bluetooth module. The rechargeable battery 142 maybe recharged using a USB interface 120 located on the adjustableplatform, and may also be used in reverse to charge portable electronicdevices, such as a user's smart phone or other mobile computer 150.

The user's mobile computer 150, which may be a smart phone or othermobile computing device, can wirelessly be alerted by the intelligencemodule using the wireless link 146 of the intelligence module 140 and awireless link 152 of the mobile computer. This could be a wirelessantenna or Bluetooth receiver module. The mobile computer also at leastincludes a graphical user interface (GUI) 154 and a processor and datamemory 156 for storing software. Software could be incorporated into thecomputer memory for recording information about fish caught using thefishing caddy system 102, such as type of fish caught, size and weightof the fish, number of fish, and other notes or user inputs. This couldall be incorporated into a specific software application associated withthe fishing caddy or a simple text file openable by the mobile computer150. The mobile computer can also be used to alert the user when a fishhas been hooked by movement of the fishing line causing theaccelerometer 148 sending an alert using the wireless link 146 of theintelligence module 140 to the wireless link 152 of the mobile computer150, resulting in a notification on the GUI 154.

IV. Alternative Embodiment Fishing Caddy System 202

FIG. 8 shows another slightly alternative embodiment fishing caddysystem 202. Here, the body 208 may be a bucket or some other stationarybody. Universal mounting receivers 226 are mounted to the body 208 viamounting holes 230 using screws, bolts, or other attaching elements.Glue could also be used. The fishing rod holder assembly 204 and cupholder assembly 206, which are identical to those discussed above, aremounted to the mounting receivers 226 using mounting interfaces 232.This allows for a universal attachment system for a fishing caddy system202.

It is to be understood that while certain aspects of the disclosedsubject matter have been shown and described, the disclosed subjectmatter is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodimentsand aspects.

Having thus described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed asnew and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A method ofmounting an accessory to a body, the method comprising the steps:affixing a mounting bracket to the body, said mounting bracketcomprising a backing plate and a pair of side guide rails, each sideguide rail comprising a lip extended away from said mounting bracket;slideably engaging the accessory to said mounting bracket via a mountinginterface connected to a back end of the accessory, said mountinginterface configured for mounting said accessory to said bracket;wherein said accessory comprises a rod holder assembly comprising a pairof rod holders, a pair of hooks each one in proximity to one of saidpair of rod holders; and an adjustable LED assembly; wherein said pairof rod holders comprised of translucent material; wherein saidadjustable LED assembly including a pair of upwardly oriented LEDs and apair of forwardly oriented LEDs; aiming each one of said upwardlyoriented LEDs at a respective one of said pair of rod holders, such thatupon activation of said upwardly oriented LEDs, the corresponding rodholder illuminates; mounting a fishing rod into one of said pair of rodholders; and placing a fishing line through the one of said pair ofhooks corresponding with said rod holder receiving said fishing rod. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising a second accessory, saidsecond accessory comprises a cup holder.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein said mounting bracket comprises a tapered shape having a shorterwidth along a top edge and a longer width along a bottom edge.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein: said pair of slides of said mountinginterface comprising a tapered orientation corresponding with saidtapered shape of said mounting bracket; and said mounting interfacecomprises a top edge configured to engage said top edge of said mountingbracket when said pair of slides engage said pair of side guide rails.